Fans of The Kiss Quotient will love Perfectly Adequate, a heartfelt and hilarious journey along the “human” spectrum from USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Jewel E. Ann.
Dorothy Mayhem is a nursing student, patient transporter, reckless driver, and emu owner. She knows she isn’t like other girls. Neurotypical people are nothing if not predictable, though, and that’s why she … if not predictable, though, and that’s why she has made a hobby of studying their behavior through books and TV.
It helps her fit in with her peers when she can emulate them.
But nothing can prepare her for Dr. Elijah Hawkins.
He’s a single dad. A brilliant pediatric oncologist. Widely agreed to be the sexiest doctor at the hospital. And entirely unpredictable.
Though getting to know the man behind the chiseled features and top-notch reputation would be her pleasure, Dorothy misunderstands one attempt after another to ask her out. Instead of dates with Elijah, she finds herself on a series of playdates with his son.
Roman is cute, sweet, and brings her unexpectedly closer to his father every day.
Dorothy Mayhem is about to find out that the only thing more unpredictable than a child—is love.
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Brilliant story!
I loved every word, and the beauty of this story for me, was that it didn’t really fit any mold. It was a unique romance with a very important powerful message.
Flawlessly written, smart and edgy. The author explored a rarely spoken about, painful situation and made it into a unique, funny and passionate story. It was a perfect blend of sweet and heartfelt, emotional and complex.
How their journey evolved, had me glued to the pages as the quirky “thang” between Dr. Elijah and patient transporter Dorothy Mayhem evolved and developed.
The author flawlessly articulated Dorothy’s uniqueness, as well as the struggles Dr. Elijah was going through.
It was refreshing to meet characters who were honest and vulnerable, and the mistakes they made made their story truly special.
Not only were they likable and relatable, they were “perfectly adequate”, and happy to be that way.
Dorothy is different in every way and wasn’t afraid to show it. Dr. Elijah was was perfect alpha male. Sexy, gorgeous and a dedicated doctor. He’s had typical beautiful women and it didn’t work! His failed marriage has him doubting himself until he meets Dorothy.
Is it rebound to get over his painful marriage, is it lust, or is it something else?
Do labels matter?
Are you willing to go out with someone who’s not “neurotypical”?
We need more Elijahs and Dorothy’s in the book world!
Some stories are unique and leave a permanent mark in your soul. The people in the story and their emotions give you an unforgettable experience. And Jewel E.Ann is delivering them one after another. The pure raw brilliance of her writing shines brightly in Perfectly Adequate. Once Again.
Dorothy Mayhem is in Autistic spectrum as per medical science. But that doesn’t define her. She is different, not abnormal. She thinks too much. She expresses her emotions differently. She needs everything to be defined and clearly put into their boxes with labels. She is an amazing human being. Because her odd personality is refreshing and adorable. She thinks everything from her special heart and she loves everyone unconditionally if given a chance. I am awed by her. I love her, respect her and wish we had more people like her in real life.
And Dr.Elijah Hawkins is bringing chaos, confusion and colors in her life. He is making her feel things she doesn’t know how to process. Elijah is in his own personal hell after his only love and wife Julia ( who is also Dorothy’s idol) suddenly leaves him. He has a son. He has a life as excellent researcher in paediatric oncology. But all he feels is no sense of direction. Emptiness. Numbness. Feeling of inadequacy. Anger. Till Dorothy Mayhem, the patient transporter with matching shoes and undergarments and love of emus enter his life. Elijah is perfect. He understands Dorothy and admire her and chooses her against all odds. This man is just amazing.
This is supposed to be a rom com. Yea it is, in most parts. The weird conversations between Dorothy and Elijah were so funny and witty. Their “dates” were hilarious which made me cry in laughter. But Jewel E. Ann can’t possibly write without angst. And last half of the book was torture. The emotions were breaking my heart. The intensity of the chemistry was beautiful. This is not a normal love story. As the people are not “normal”. But it is an epic story. With so many lessons. So many memorable swoonworthy tearing-me-up moments. So many devastating moments.
Jewel E.Ann always makes me feel everything in excess. The sensory overload is something I can never have enough of her stories. The words are art. Perfectly Adequate was a refreshing and genius take on love as we know it. Another must read story from Jewel E. Ann.
Received ARC for Honest review
This book was such a breath of fresh air! This book was also an amazing preview on what my perfectly imperfect amazing eight year old son could be like in twenty-two years. Dorothy Mayhem in her matter-of-fact inability to lie and all around neurotic behavior was the most awesome heroine I’ve read in a long time!
“I don’t mind being me. No one else can do it better.”–Dorothy Mayhem
From an outsider’s perspective Eli has the perfect life. Gorgeous, successful pediatric oncologist, adorable three year old son, fantastic family. He has everything right? Except… That whole, his wife up and divorced him a year ago for no reason and he’s having a real bitch of a time getting over it. He has spent almost every moment since she walked out the door dreaming of a reunion that would allow his family to once again be whole. As if it wasn’t horrible enough to have been put through all this, he has to see this woman at work ALL.THE.TIME!! She is a renowned pediatric plastic surgeon.
Enter Dorothy. Dr Elijah Hawkins first meets the beautiful patient transporter and nursing student. She’s on the spectrum, so she’s wonderfully a little socially awkward at times.
“It doesn’t require in-depth conversation, which is good since conversation is not my best honed skill.”
She is also one of the kindest most caring people/characters ever written! She was unapologetically honest. It doesn’t matter if it’s an inappropriate time or venue, she does what most ASD people do and that’s just speak freely and say the first thing that comes to their minds. #WithoutFilter
There were so many quirky things about Dorothy to love. Her approach to dating, her fashion sense, her sweet bond with Roman. GAH! I literally loved everything! She is the most unselfishly loving person ever. I loved Dorothy and Eli together. In a world of imperfections they were absolute perfection. Told in dual POV this quick read is the perfect rom-com. It’s the sweetest love story.
This book gives me so many feelings. I loved it because it was sweet, and quirky and hilarious! As a momma of a precious eight year old on the spectrum, this book gives me joy, and hope and the giggles too! Dorothy in this book reminds me of my little Mikey and his “sweet savagery” in telling you exactly what he thinks about something as simple as how your food tastes or how the other player is doing in a video game. We need people like My Mikey and Dorothy’s in our world. They bring color to it, make us view it differently, if we just take a moment and look at it through their eyes, I think the whole world would start to change for the better. I don’t know what amazing thing I did to be hand picked to be his momma, but I’m forever grateful. God knew I needed that boy, probably way more than he will ever need me. Everyday with fail he puts a smile on my face and it’s usually because of some “truthgrenade” he’s pulled the pin and dropped at someone’s feet. Just like Dorothy’s character! Lol
I loved Eli and Dorothy’s story the MOST. I instantly loved everything about Dorothy Mayhem from her inappropriate sex moments, and disasters, the fondue OMG the fondue. DYING! Don’t miss out on this amazingly sweet new rom-com by Jewel E. Ann with its unconventional heroine and fantastic accuracy in giving better understanding of the amazing people with ASD.
My cr8zysockbookblock overall ratings for this book!
– I cannot possibly convey how much I truly love this book. It’s wonderful and sweet and hilarious! You just HAVE TO read this book!
– The chemistry between Dorothy and Eli was crazy hot. They had some hilarious scenes because it’s Dorothy and something crazy always happens around Dorothy. Lol
Cliffhanger Warning- No cliffhanger! So, Jewel might make you sweat for a few, but… This ending is #Perfection
Elijah’s wife up and leaves him taking his confidence with her. He finds love again in an unlikely place. Dorothy walks into his life like a tornado. She’s quirky, socially awkward and just what he needs. I loved Dorothy in all her quirky glory. She is a breath of fresh air for Eli and his three year old son, Roman. Perfectly Adequate is a fun, sweet, heartwarming story, and I found myself with a huge smile on my face while I read.
Perfectly Adequate was funny, offbeat and enjoyable. I loved the heroine, Dorothy. She was just amazing to me. I think the author did a great job crafting and staying true to her. I liked the hero but I had a few issues with some of the decisions he made. That said, this was an awesome read that I definitely recommend.
Copy provided by author
I finished this story and I have to ask – Does Jewel E Ann EVER not write a PERFECT hero? NOPE. No she doesn’t!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Eli aka Dr. Hawkins
OKAY…. *wink* (once you read this you’ll get this)
So now that it’s established that JEA writes perfect men…. This story! Guys!!!! This story. WOW.
This was a Very cute. Very happy. Heart-touching. Open minded story.
I enjoyed this Very much. I love a romance story that gives me food for thought or that gives me something new. Something I didn’t know before and “that something” I know I’ll be better because I know. Better Human.
I’ve read other stories with a heroine that’s “like” Dorothy but they AREN’T Dorothy because No One can be Dorothy better than Dorothy
4.5 quirky, amusing stars. This was my first real experience with the comedic side of Jewel E. Ann. Usually, she just rips my heart out and tears it apart with her words. This time, however, she created different cadences of beats. Heavy thuds, rapid butterfly flutters, steady lub dubs. Perhaps I should go see Dr. Hottie Hawkins about my irregular beat?
The full cast of characters was well written and all likable in their own ways, from Eli to Roman (Little Romeo), to both sets of parents, to the emus, and even Boss Bitch.
But…Dorothy Mayhem was refreshing, funny, and just so real. So human. I loved her “tell it as it is” approach, and her fashion sense. She kept the story interesting and all around perfectly adequate.
This story certainly was “Okay.”